EP0936840A1 - Implantierbares Hörgerät - Google Patents

Implantierbares Hörgerät Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0936840A1
EP0936840A1 EP98102624A EP98102624A EP0936840A1 EP 0936840 A1 EP0936840 A1 EP 0936840A1 EP 98102624 A EP98102624 A EP 98102624A EP 98102624 A EP98102624 A EP 98102624A EP 0936840 A1 EP0936840 A1 EP 0936840A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
hearing aid
transducer
vibration transmitter
incus
transducer structure
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP98102624A
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English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Daniel F. àWengen
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to EP98102624A priority Critical patent/EP0936840A1/de
Priority to US09/250,740 priority patent/US6099462A/en
Publication of EP0936840A1 publication Critical patent/EP0936840A1/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/60—Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles
    • H04R25/604—Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles of acoustic or vibrational transducers
    • H04R25/606—Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles of acoustic or vibrational transducers acting directly on the eardrum, the ossicles or the skull, e.g. mastoid, tooth, maxillary or mandibular bone, or mechanically stimulating the cochlea, e.g. at the oval window
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F2/00—Filters implantable into blood vessels; Prostheses, i.e. artificial substitutes or replacements for parts of the body; Appliances for connecting them with the body; Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents
    • A61F2/02—Prostheses implantable into the body
    • A61F2/18—Internal ear or nose parts, e.g. ear-drums
    • A61F2002/183—Ear parts
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/55—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception using an external connection, either wireless or wired
    • H04R25/554—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception using an external connection, either wireless or wired using a wireless connection, e.g. between microphone and amplifier or using Tcoils

Definitions

  • the invention relates to an implantable hearing aid according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • Various implantable hearing aids acting on an ossicle of the middle ear have been proposed. These devices are either based on magnetic or mechanical coupling for generating vibrations of the ossicle. If mechanical coupling is to be used, complex mastoid surgery is required in order to drill a hole into the temporal bone for receiving the coupling means between an outer part of the implant and the middle ear ossicles.
  • the invention solves this problem with a hearing aid having the features of claim 1.
  • the implant according to the invention comprises a vibration transmitter that extends through the external auditory canal and into the middle ear cleft and that can be installed in a groove in the bony external auditory canal wall. Milling a groove along the auditory canal wall avoids the problems that occur when drilling a wide access into the temporal bone.
  • the auditory canal is easy to access and the position of the groove can be readily controlled intraoperatively.
  • the skin of the external auditory canal can be left intact. After implantation the skin then covers the groove with the actuator arm resting in it.
  • the vibration transmitter comprises a substantially rigid rod structure, which extends through the groove in the auditory canal.
  • a substantially rigid rod structure which extends through the groove in the auditory canal.
  • it can preferably be attached under a plurality of angles to the transducer structure and/or it is adjustable in length, e.g. by being telescopically extendible.
  • the rigid rod structure can be enclosed in a tubular sleeve for isolating its vibrations.
  • the vibration transmitter is preferably coupled to the incus, especially the long process of the incus.
  • This arrangement has the advantage that push/pull motions of the vibration transmitter are substantially parallel to the natural movements of incus and stapes. Therefore, an efficient coupling is achieved.
  • the transducer structure arranged outside the cranium, preferably on the external surface of the temporal bone or in a recess formed therein, can comprise a receiver for wireless transmission of signals from an external part comprising microphone, amplifier, and battery located outside the user's head.
  • Fig 1 The basic design of a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Fig 1.
  • This figure depicts a section through a human ear with pinna 1, auditory canal 2, tympanic membrane 3, middle ear cleft 4 with malleus 5, incus 6 and stapes 7, and inner ear 8.
  • the external part 10 of this semi-implanatable hearing aid comprises a microphone, amplifier, and battery, arranged behind or above the pinna 1 outside the user's head with an RF transmitter 11 to send the detected acoustic signals to a corresponding receiver 12 of the implanted hearing aid.
  • the receiver 12 is located in a transducer structure 13, which comprises a decoder 14 and a transducer 15. Part of the transducer structure 13 is arranged in an artificial recess 16 on the outer surface of the temporal bone 17.
  • Transducer 15 is integrally connected to decoder 14 and attached to the temporal bone 17 by means of screws 18.
  • a piezoelectric or electromagnetic transducer 15 is arranged in the transducer arm for generating oscillations of the end 19 of transducer 15 along arrows 21.
  • Length and orientation of transducer structure 13 are thus that end 19 of transducer arm 15 is located at the periphery of external auditory canal 2.
  • An articulated joint coupling 25 connects end 19 of transducer 15 to a vibration transmitter 26, which comprises a substantially rigid rod structure with a tube 27 and a rod 28.
  • Rod 28 is intraoperatively adjusted for appropriate length within tube 27 such that vibration transmitter 26 extends through external auditory canal 2 and into middle ear cleft 4.
  • vibration transmitter 26 is cemented into a groove 30 extending along the uppermost part of the bony external auditory canal wall 31 below the intact skin 32. It is encased in a tubular sleeve 33 isolating its motions from the surrounding cement and tissue.
  • a clip 36 is attached to the distal end of vibration transmitter rod 28.
  • the clip consists of two titanium spring arms 37, which laterally enclose and hold the long euros 39 of incus 6.
  • Clip 36 transfers the motions along arrows 21 of vibration transmitter 26 to incus 6, thereby generating motions along arrows 41. Since arrows 21 and 41 are nearly parallel, the transmittal is nearly loss-free and physiologically unnatural strain on the ossicles is avoided.
  • the hearing aid according to Figs 1 - 3 can be implanted easily.
  • the milling of groove 30 can be carried out accurately because of the easy access provided by auditory canal 2 after lifting off the external auditory canal skin.
  • the angle of joint coupling 25 and the length of vibration transmitter 26 can be adjusted quickly to fit the implant into the patient's ear.
  • vibration transmitter 26 can be a tube of suitable length containing a liquid and clip 36 can be affixed to an end-membrane thereof. In this case, vibrations can be transmitted through the liquid.
  • Clip 36 instead of clip 36, glue or cement can be used for affixing vibration transmitter 26 to incus 6.
  • Clip 36 is, however, preferred because of the ease of its application and because of the proven biocompatability of titanium in the middle ear.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Otolaryngology (AREA)
  • Neurosurgery (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Prostheses (AREA)
EP98102624A 1998-02-16 1998-02-16 Implantierbares Hörgerät Withdrawn EP0936840A1 (de)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP98102624A EP0936840A1 (de) 1998-02-16 1998-02-16 Implantierbares Hörgerät
US09/250,740 US6099462A (en) 1998-02-16 1999-02-16 Implantable hearing aid and method for implanting the same

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP98102624A EP0936840A1 (de) 1998-02-16 1998-02-16 Implantierbares Hörgerät

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0936840A1 true EP0936840A1 (de) 1999-08-18

Family

ID=8231419

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP98102624A Withdrawn EP0936840A1 (de) 1998-02-16 1998-02-16 Implantierbares Hörgerät

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (1) US6099462A (de)
EP (1) EP0936840A1 (de)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2001028288A2 (de) * 2000-12-29 2001-04-19 Phonak Ag Im ohr montiertes hörhilfe-implantat und hörhilfe-implantat
WO2001045457A2 (en) * 1999-12-16 2001-06-21 John Nicholas Marshall Implantable hearing aid 1.1
EP1181950A3 (de) * 2000-08-25 2004-01-28 Cochlear Limited Implantierbares Hörsystem mit Mitteln zur Messung der Ankopplungsqualität
AU782322B2 (en) * 2000-12-29 2005-07-21 Phonak Ag Hearing aid implant which is arranged in the ear
EP2637425A1 (de) * 2012-03-07 2013-09-11 Oticon Medical A/S Akustische Übertragungsmittel und Verfahren zur Tonübertragung
CN107113515A (zh) * 2014-11-12 2017-08-29 Med-El电气医疗器械有限公司 用于植入式浮动转换器的砧骨短突附件
WO2020068604A1 (en) 2018-09-24 2020-04-02 Med-El Elektromedizinische Geraete Gmbh Universal bone conduction and middle ear implant

Families Citing this family (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19923403C2 (de) * 1999-05-21 2002-11-14 Phonak Ag Staefa Vorrichtung zum mechanischen Ankoppeln eines in einer Mastoidhöhle implantierbaren elektromechanischen Hörgerätewandlers
DE19935029C2 (de) * 1999-07-26 2003-02-13 Phonak Ag Staefa Implantierbare Anordnung zum mechanischen Ankoppeln eines Treiberteils an eine Ankoppelstelle
DE10039401C2 (de) * 2000-08-11 2002-06-13 Implex Ag Hearing Technology I Mindestens teilweise implantierbares Hörsystem
US20030172939A1 (en) * 2000-12-08 2003-09-18 Aviv Hirchenbain Devices and methods using vibration to relieve discomfort
AU2002252676A1 (en) 2001-04-12 2002-10-28 Otologics Llc Hearing aid with internal acoustic middle ear transducer
US6786860B2 (en) 2001-10-03 2004-09-07 Advanced Bionics Corporation Hearing aid design
US7127078B2 (en) 2001-10-03 2006-10-24 Advanced Bionics Corporation Implanted outer ear canal hearing aid
US6879695B2 (en) * 2001-10-03 2005-04-12 Advanced Bionics Corporation Personal sound link module
WO2007147071A2 (en) * 2006-06-14 2007-12-21 Otologics, Llc Compressive coupling of an implantable hearing aid actuator to an auditory component
US7722525B2 (en) 2007-05-24 2010-05-25 Otologics, Llc Lateral coupling of an implantable hearing aid actuator to an auditory component
US10645502B2 (en) 2007-11-08 2020-05-05 Cochlear Limited Spanning connector for implantable hearing instrument
US20090248085A1 (en) * 2008-03-31 2009-10-01 Cochlear Limited Tissue injection fixation system for a prosthetic device

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3712962A (en) * 1971-04-05 1973-01-23 J Epley Implantable piezoelectric hearing aid
US4601723A (en) * 1985-01-29 1986-07-22 Mcgrew Robert N Telescoping self-adjusting ossicular prostheses
US5015224A (en) * 1988-10-17 1991-05-14 Maniglia Anthony J Partially implantable hearing aid device
US5411467A (en) * 1989-06-02 1995-05-02 Implex Gmbh Spezialhorgerate Implantable hearing aid
FR2712800A1 (fr) * 1993-11-25 1995-06-02 Dumon Thibaud Prothèse auditive à vibrateur piézo-électrique implantable dans l'oreille moyenne.
US5430801A (en) * 1993-12-14 1995-07-04 Hill; Frank C. Hearing aid
US5558618A (en) * 1995-01-23 1996-09-24 Maniglia; Anthony J. Semi-implantable middle ear hearing device
WO1997030565A1 (en) * 1996-02-15 1997-08-21 Neukermans Armand P Improved biocompatible transducers

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4596902A (en) * 1985-07-16 1986-06-24 Samuel Gilman Processor controlled ear responsive hearing aid and method
US5176620A (en) * 1990-10-17 1993-01-05 Samuel Gilman Hearing aid having a liquid transmission means communicative with the cochlea and method of use thereof
US5554096A (en) * 1993-07-01 1996-09-10 Symphonix Implantable electromagnetic hearing transducer

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3712962A (en) * 1971-04-05 1973-01-23 J Epley Implantable piezoelectric hearing aid
US4601723A (en) * 1985-01-29 1986-07-22 Mcgrew Robert N Telescoping self-adjusting ossicular prostheses
US5015224A (en) * 1988-10-17 1991-05-14 Maniglia Anthony J Partially implantable hearing aid device
US5411467A (en) * 1989-06-02 1995-05-02 Implex Gmbh Spezialhorgerate Implantable hearing aid
FR2712800A1 (fr) * 1993-11-25 1995-06-02 Dumon Thibaud Prothèse auditive à vibrateur piézo-électrique implantable dans l'oreille moyenne.
US5430801A (en) * 1993-12-14 1995-07-04 Hill; Frank C. Hearing aid
US5558618A (en) * 1995-01-23 1996-09-24 Maniglia; Anthony J. Semi-implantable middle ear hearing device
WO1997030565A1 (en) * 1996-02-15 1997-08-21 Neukermans Armand P Improved biocompatible transducers

Cited By (19)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2001045457A2 (en) * 1999-12-16 2001-06-21 John Nicholas Marshall Implantable hearing aid 1.1
WO2001045457A3 (en) * 1999-12-16 2001-12-27 John Nicholas Marshall Implantable hearing aid 1.1
EP1181950A3 (de) * 2000-08-25 2004-01-28 Cochlear Limited Implantierbares Hörsystem mit Mitteln zur Messung der Ankopplungsqualität
AU776528B2 (en) * 2000-08-25 2004-09-16 Cochlear Limited At least partially implantable hearing system for rehabilitation of a hearing disorder
WO2001028288A2 (de) * 2000-12-29 2001-04-19 Phonak Ag Im ohr montiertes hörhilfe-implantat und hörhilfe-implantat
WO2001028288A3 (de) * 2000-12-29 2002-05-10 Phonak Ag Im ohr montiertes hörhilfe-implantat und hörhilfe-implantat
US6620110B2 (en) 2000-12-29 2003-09-16 Phonak Ag Hearing aid implant mounted in the ear and hearing aid implant
AU782322B2 (en) * 2000-12-29 2005-07-21 Phonak Ag Hearing aid implant which is arranged in the ear
EP2637425A1 (de) * 2012-03-07 2013-09-11 Oticon Medical A/S Akustische Übertragungsmittel und Verfahren zur Tonübertragung
EP2637424A1 (de) * 2012-03-07 2013-09-11 Oticon Medical A/S Akustische Übertragungseinrichtung und Verfahren zur Tonübertragung
CN103369443A (zh) * 2012-03-07 2013-10-23 奥迪康医疗有限公司 声传输装置及传输声音的方法
US9185502B2 (en) 2012-03-07 2015-11-10 Oticon Medical A/S Acoustical transmission means and method for transmitting sound
CN103369443B (zh) * 2012-03-07 2018-07-31 奥迪康医疗有限公司 声传输装置及传输声音的方法
CN107113515A (zh) * 2014-11-12 2017-08-29 Med-El电气医疗器械有限公司 用于植入式浮动转换器的砧骨短突附件
EP3219114A4 (de) * 2014-11-12 2018-07-04 MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH Kurze ambossschenkelbefestigung für einen implantierbaren schwimmenden wandler
CN107113515B (zh) * 2014-11-12 2019-04-30 Med-El电气医疗器械有限公司 用于植入式浮动转换器的砧骨短突附件
WO2020068604A1 (en) 2018-09-24 2020-04-02 Med-El Elektromedizinische Geraete Gmbh Universal bone conduction and middle ear implant
EP3857915A4 (de) * 2018-09-24 2022-06-22 Med-El Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH Universelles knochenleitungs- und mittelohrimplantat
US11425514B2 (en) 2018-09-24 2022-08-23 Med-El Elektromedizinische Geraete Gmbh Universal bone conduction and middle ear implant

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Publication number Publication date
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